‘We’re slowing CSG’

Lock the Gate Northern Rivers spokeswoman Boudicca Cerese at the scene of a protest at Shannonbrook, west of Casino, where a man chained himself to a bulldozer to protest the construction of a coal seam gas wastwater holding pond. Photo Doug Eaton / Northern StarDoug Eaton

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ENVIRONMENTAL scientist and Lock the Gate spokeswoman, Boudicca Cerese has seen community action against coal seam gas mining and exploration slow what she sees as the intrusion of an environmentally dangerous industry in the area around her Kyogle home.

Ms Cerese was at the Glenugie picket line yesterday helping organise the demonstration that has prevented Metgasco trucks carrying a generator and other site equipment from entering the test drilling site.

"This protest is a strong expression of community opposition to having this industry forced upon it by a government which has been captured by powerful mining interests," she said.

Ms Cerese said community opposition to the industry was overwhelmingly demonstrated in a poll which the Australian Electoral Commission undertook in Lismore in September.

"It was undertaken by the AEC and it's outrageous for a corporate CEO to question the validity of the democratic voice of a community opposed to this unsafe industry."

"Mr Henderson is a high-paid CEO crying poor when he's got the ex-director of the NSW Liberal Party, Richard Shields and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association pushing the company line with both government and media."

"They are also running a multi-million dollar advertising campaign promoting the supposed benefits of CSG."

She said she believes there is the potential for environmental damage including from the test drilling that will start soon at Glenugie.

She called on the Federal Government to intervene as they did against woodchip exports and Tasmania's Franklin Dam.

"I would like to see the Federal Government step in and override this State Government failure," she said.